Abstract

In this investigation a novel approach based on mucoadhesive superporous hydrogel hybrids (SPHHs) for topi- cal vaginal drug delivery for Metronidazole was tried. Method: SPHHs were synthesized by solution polymerization tech- nique. The synthesized SPHHs were characterized for tensile strength, swelling behavior, porosity, density, mucoadhesion time, SEM, DSC and FT-IR studies. In vitro drug release study from prepared vaginal formulation based on SPHH was performed in simulated vaginal fluid. Different mathematical models were applied to ascertain the drug release mecha- nism. SPHHs have shown good tensile strength, mucoadhesion time and drug release for 24 hour. SEM images reflected the formation of pores and interconnected capillary channels. The release kinetic of drug from the prepared system was best explained by Korsmeyer-Peppas and Higuchi models and shown anomalous transport. The proposed novel drug de- livery system based on SPHH was successfully prepared and SPHH-DDS might be promising candidate for topical vagi- nal delivery of Metronidazole.